Andre Villas-Boas: Spurs did not deserve Newcastle defeat

New Spurs boss
Andre Villas-Boas insisted he was happy with his first competitive match, despite seeing goals from
Demba Ba and
Hatem Ben Arfa condemn his side to a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle.

Tottenham enjoyed the better of the first half and twice hit the woodwork, but it was still goalless at the break.

Hatem Ben Arfa won the game for Newcastle (Allstar)

Ba put the Magpies in front with a superb curling shot in the 54th minute, but the visitors hit back 22 minutes later when Jermain Defoe bundled home the rebound after Tim Krul had blocked his header.

However, Newcastle regained the lead moments later when Ben Arfa fired home from the penalty spot after being brought down by a combination of Rafael van der Vaart and Aaron Lennon .

Despite the setback, Villas-Boas praised his players and insisted their performance had merited at least a point.

The Portuguese coach said: ‘We deserved more, played well, had the chances in the first half and pushed in the second.

‘We deserved something extra for the effort we did and the game we played. We showed why we did so well last season and deserved more.’

Villas-Boas added club officials were still working hard to make more signings before the transfer window closes, and described the sale of Luka Modric to Real Madrid as an ‘ongoing’ situation.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was delighted with his team’s performance, but had to apologise for his own behaviour, after he was sent to the stands for shoving an assistant referee as he disputed a decision.

‘It was ridiculous, I apologise publicly,’ Pardew said.

‘I have pleaded with my players to behave and follow the Olympic spirit. I can only apologise, I’ve been to see him and told him I didn’t know what I was thinking.’